Sainte-Radegonde, Poitiers

The Église Ste-Radegonde (Church of St. Radegunda) on the east side of Poitiers dates from the 11th century, but is built over a much older church. It contains the ancient tomb of the town's patroness, St. Radegunda, along with some fine painted capitals.

advertisement

History of Sainte-Radegonde

This church has ancient origins and was originally named Ste-Marie-Hors-les-Murs (St. Mary outside the Walls), but it was renamed for the city's patron saint when she was laid to rest here after her death in 587 AD.

Sainte Radegonde (known as Radegunda or Radegund in English) was born a princess, the daughter of the king of Thuringia. In about 531, she was captured by the ruthless Merovingian King Chlotar I (son of Clovis) during an expedition against the Thuringians.

Radegunda was educated at the court of Chlotar and eventually married the king. However, she is said to have hoped for martyrdom from an early age and the king complained of having a nun rather than a wife for his queen. The pious woman was said to be humble and virtous, tending to the poor and the sick despite her high station.

Eventually Radegunda secured her release from Chlotar and became a nun with the permission of Médard, bishop of Noyon. She later founded the nunnery of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. It was said that Radegunda performed numerous miracles and that Christ appeared to her a year before her death on August 13, 587.

The early church in which Radegunda was buried in Poitiers was destroyed in 877. The present building dates mostly from the 11th century (crypt, choir and west tower), with the Gothic nave and west doorway dating from the 13th through 15th centuries.

What to See at Sainte-Radegonde

The exterior is dominated by a tall Romanesque bell tower (11th century) decorated with a large and elaborate Gothic portal (13th century).

The portal opens into a bright aisleless nave dating from a 13th-century Gothic renovation, with jewel-toned stained glass windows. The chancel is surrounded by stout Romanesque pillars topped with colorfully painted capitals featuring human and animal figures.

Beneath the chancel is the crypt containing the revered sarcophagus of St. Radegunda (d.587), as well as a marble statue given by Anne of Austria.

Quick Facts on Sainte-Radegonde

Site Information
Names:Église Sainte-Radegonde · Sainte-Marie-Hors-les-Murs · Sainte-Radegonde · St. Radegonde Church
Country:France
Categories:churches
Styles:Romanesque; Gothic
Dedication: St. Radegunda
Dates:11th C
Status: active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:46.579822° N, 0.352002° E
Address:Poitiers, France
Phone:05 49 41 21 24 (Poitiers tourism office)
Lodging:View hotels near Sainte-Radegonde
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

  1. Personal visit (July 14, 2008).
  2. Ste Radegonde, Poitiers - Planetware
  3. Sainte Radegonde Church - Vienne Tourism
  4. L'église Sainte-Radegonde de Poitiers - Diocese of Poitiers
  5. Saint Radegunda - Encyclopaedia Britannica Online

More Information

Exterior of Sainte-Radegonde Church, Poitiers. © Holly Hayes
Romanesque tower and Gothic portal. © Holly Hayes
Nave looking east. © Holly Hayes
Entrance to the crypt with the tomb of St. Radegonde. © Holly Hayes
Tomb of Queen St. Radegonde. © Holly Hayes
Ex-Votos (thank offerings) to St. Radegonde. © Holly Hayes
Chancel with stout pillars and painted Romanesque capitals. © Holly Hayes
Painted sculpture in the chancel. © Holly Hayes
Ambulatory behind the crypt and chancel. © Holly Hayes
Detail of stained glass window. © Holly Hayes

Map of Sainte-Radegonde, Poitiers

Below is a location map and aerial view of Sainte-Radegonde. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.